Are reports confidential and/or anonymous?
The hotline and the website allow individuals to make reports anonymously to a live operator or complete an online form 24 hours a day/7days a week. As a result of The Whistleblower Protection Act, all reports are confidential. In order to preserve the confidentiality of the process, FW+A does not give updates on the investigations. Discussion of your complaint with others, including family, friends, and co-workers, may jeopardize your confidentiality and affect the investigation.
What kind of things should be reported?
Common examples include:
- Submitting fictitious invoices for personal goods and services;
- Theft of City property, such as inventory or supplies;
- Payroll or timekeeping fraud;
- Falsely reporting expenses for reimbursement;
- Stealing a check the City issued to another payee;
- Taking or "skimming" cash paid for City services - such as parking, permits or fines;
- Utilizing City property for personal use;
- Computer fraud or information theft;
- Accepting a bribe, kickback or illegal gratuity;
- Bid-fixing;
- Recording fictitious sale; and
- Auditing or accounting irregularities.
What happens after I file a report or make a complaint?
After you complete your report you will be assigned a unique code called a "report key." Write down your report key and password and keep them in a safe place. After five or six business days, you are encouraged to use your report key and password to check your report for feedback or questions. Often the City Auditor may request additional information from you to proceed with the investigation.
In order to preserve the confidentiality of the process, we do not provide updates on the investigations. Discussion of your complaint with others, including family, friends, and co-workers, may jeopardize your confidentiality and affect the investigation.
How does the FW+A Program differ from what the Public Ethics Commission does?
The City's Public Ethics Commission addresses complaints pertaining to the following laws:
- Oakland Campaign Reform Act;
- Oakland Sunshine Ordinance;
- Limited Public Financing Act;
- Code of Conduct for City Officials
- Conflict of Interest regulations as they pertain to City of Oakland elected officials, officers, employees and staff members of boards and commissions;
- Lobbyist Registration Act; and
- Oakland False Endorsement in Campaign Literature Act.
If the FW+A program receives a complaint that falls under the jurisdiction of the Public Ethics Commission, the complaint will be referred to the Public Ethics Commission for resolution.
Who investigates Workers' Compensation fraud for the City?
As a permissibly self-insured public entity, the City contracts with a third party workers' compensation claims administrator (TPA). Fraud investigation is a part of the scope of services provided in the contract between the City and the claims administrator. The current administrator is:
JT2 Integrated Resources
City of Oakland Account
PO Box 70410
Oakland CA 94612
Phone: 510-844-3100 (City of Oakland Supervisors: Betty Hahn and Mary Silveira)
Fax: 510-844-3201
What is the department name, website address and telephone number for City employees or residents to report suspected instances of Workers' Compensation fraud?
Reports can be made any of the following ways:
- Calling the TPA at the number above and leaving a message;
- Calling the TPA's fraud hotline at 866-Fraud-42 (866-372-8342); or
- Calling the City of Oakland, Risk Management Division: Deb Grant, Risk Manager, 510-238-7165; or Gaynell Chase, Disability Benefits Coordinator, 510-238-2270.